Lahore High Court has granted permission to all cable networks to showcase Indian movies. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had barred private channels to air Indian content in the aftermath of Uri attacks. However, with this decision the ban has been lifted.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah allowed private TV channels to showcase Indian content in an interim order. The petition was filed by Leo Communication in which it had challenged the PEMRA decision. The counsel for petitioner, Advocate Taffazul Rizvi argued that permission should be granted to channels to air Indian content as they fall within the category of ”entertainment” as defined under the license agreement signed with the PEMRA.

He also argued that Pakistan government was pursuing a selective patriotism policy as Indian movies have been started screening again in Pakistan cinemas. Justice Shah made an observation that the ban on screening Indian content on TV channels was not justified when they are being screened in theaters.

However, the ban on Indian plays is still effective and this matter will be handled in the next hearing on 2nd March, 2017.